Pennies for Poverty Update

On Jan. 25 RJC students and staff completed their 2010 Pennies for Poverty (P4P) campaign, and the faith and life committee is busy counting and rolling all of the change collected. Though the official totals are still to be tallied, this year we raised over $10,000 bringing our four year total to over $20,000! A huge thank you to all who raised money and supported our events. The idea behind P4P is that our small acts (our 'pennies') can make big 'change' in the world. To add a fun and competitive spin on the fundraising the school split into three teams (boys, girls and staff) to see who could creatively raise the most money. The winners will be announced in chapel on Monday Feb. 1.

This year's funds will support the Rosthern Food Pantry and MCC sponosored projects in Guatemala and Haiti. Due to the immediacy of the need, on Mon. Jan. 22 in chapel we donated $1000.00 online to MCC's Haiti response. Students and staff representing each P4P team punched in the numbers before the student body.

We had a live tele-link with Claire Ewert-Fisher, the Executive-Director of MCC Sask, to report on how the relief and fund-raising efforts for MCC and other aid organizations were progressing. MCC is focusing in the short term on providing water filtration and relief kits. They will also continue to be committed to their long-term development.

One of the zanier fundraisers was "Brett's Beard Shear". Brett Hauser (right) is/was known for his signature bushy red beard, his pride and joy, loved by all. One day, unbeknownst to all, he arose in chapel and announced that if he could raise over $100.00 in pledges he would shave his beard! The staff said they would match the funds if Matthew 'baby-face' Hildebrandt (left) would wear Brett's trimmings for a day. In the end Brett raised $350.00, which was matched by the staff for a total of $700.00 for his team! And yes, Matthew did have to wear the prickly trimming for the entire day! Thanks for being good sports guys!

And a special thanks goes to RJC's make-up specialist Bev Epp, who turned the bushy shavings into the work of art that graced Matthew's face. You look good in a mustache Matthew!

The girls also got creative in their fund-raising efforts. Katie Baschak had the idea to 'Duct Tape a teacher to the Wall for Poverty". Karalee Kuny, RJC's biology teacher, bravely volunteered to be duct taped to the wall for one hour for every $100.00 raised. The event raised over $200.00. Grade 12 student Hugo Malan had donated the most to the cause so her and Katie had the honors of affixing Karalee to the wall. Karalee was quoted saying, "By the end my feet hurt, but it was kinda fun hanging out for the afternoon."

Another successful fundraiser was the brainchild of Laura Civica and Hannah Jones. These girls designed forty limited edition P4P tie-dye t-shirts, which they auctioned off over the course of the last week of the campaign. They were a smash hit, to say the least, and the total money raised through these shirts was over $1500.00!

Part of the success was due to the professional models they brought in to show off the shirts: Yuri Yuel, Sam Garnet and Jon Willie can make any article of clothing irresistable!

On Friday Jan. 22 we had a P4P auction specifically to raise funds for Haiti. Auction items included five Tie-Dye Ts, a group of guys who volunteered to go on the block for a 'buy-a-guy' event, and clothing and related items donated and modeled by the staff. In the end the Haiti Auction raised over $2000.00!

Carmen Pauls models a hand-made hand-bag sewn by dean Holly Epp.

Teacher Nancy Epp auctioned off her commemorative Olympic torch run coke bottle along with a vintage RJC apron. The bottle sold for $20, the apron $50!

Mel Siemens and Lloyd Schmidt model some retro RJC hockey Jerseys from the late 70s.

We had a hard time getting a bid for Dave Feick's Leafs Jersey! But, once bidding began it fetched a fair price.

Everyone wanted to know what Gail had hiding in her pockets of this RJC cardigan. The cardigan is much coveted as they are no longer available from the dress code shop.

Rick Lehmann donated a hat he used as a horse showman, as well as a huge box of car and truck magazines. He felt that Jenn Klaassen. would do a better job of modeling the hat.

Some of the most anticipated items at the auction included three of Adam Ens' game worn volleyball jerseys. One he wore as a U of S Huskie, one as a pro in France and one as a member of Canada's national team.

Sale of the three jerseys netted over $350.00! Thanks to everyone who supported this successful event. We will continue to keep Haiti in our thoughts and prayers as we continue to follow this story throughout chapel in the coming semester.

RJC Annual Fundraising Banquet

RJC held its annual fundraising Banquet on Saturday, November 7. The theme for the event was "God is Good - Stories of Faithfulness, Hope and Joy after Hurricane Katrina". The evening was centered around the experiences of RJC students who had travelled to Pass Christian Mississippi in the last two years to assist in the Mennonite Disaster Service efforts there. The speaker for the banquet was to be Billy Morgan, a resident of Pass Christian who received a home from MDS. Unfortunately, Billy was unable to travel at the last minute due to medical concerns. Instead, students, staff members and others who travelled with RJC to work with MDS shared their insights and stories.

The event included a banquet, silent auction, singing and story telling. Thanks to all who attended, donated and participated!

Current students Lori Pauls, Heidi Epp, Danika Epp and Allison Goerzen entertain the audience with their singing. Lori, Danika and Allison have all been MDS volunteers in Mississippi.

RJC teacher Karalee Kuny shares her observations about service education. She travelled with the RJC group to Mississippi in spring 2009.

Cara Warkentin (grad 2009) was a part of the first trip RJC took to volunteer with MDS in 2008. Cara shared how this experience connected her to her church, North Star Mennonite in Drake Sk., and the wider church as she volunteered with people from across Canada and the USA as well as the church in Pass Christian.

Approximately 180 people enjoyed the great food, entertainment and storytelling at the fundraising banquet.

We are grateful to those who generously donated items for the silent auction and to those who bid high and bid often! Where else could you have purchased a Calgary Flames autographed jersey and a Turducken?

Many thanks to Marilyn Friesen, Colette Penner, Naiomi Penner and Doreen Fehr for their hard work and culinary skill. The banquet was delicious!!

Danika Epp and Erik Epp, current RJC students, share their experiences volunteering with their grandparents Ewald and Louise Epp. Each RJC trip has included some family members, giving some students the chance to work together with their parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Aleta Martens (grad 2009) was a member of the 2009 RJC MDS trip. Aleta shared stories of how her experience was both a way for her to express her faith and grow her faith.

Current RJC student Jon Willie has been lucky enough to travel to Pass Christian twice to work on MDS projects. Jon worked on Billy Morgan's house and, despite the fact that Billy was unable to attend, was pleased to have the chance to introduce his friend to the RJC community.

RJC Vice-Principal Jim Epp has lead the trips to Pass Christian. In Billy Morgan's absence he shared stories about Billy's experiences and the lessons he has learned and passed on about God's faithfulness, goodness and love. Like so many others, Morgan lost all he owned in the Katrina disaster but remained faithful to God and came to see the response by the community, volunteers and others as proof that "God is good!"

Heidi Dick, Krista Dueck, Aleta Martens, Angela Nickel, Jennifer Regier and Cara Warkentin entertained the audience with their singing. The group are all members of the RJC 2009 graduating class. All but one were volunteers in Pass Christian.

Thanks to Roxy Becker, RJC board member, for her creative and hard work on the event. The theme of service through MDS was clearly evident in the creative use of scaffolding, building tools and equipment.

Wow, We were busy before Christmas!

December was a very busy month for us at RJC! Here is a brief review before we get going on blogging for the new year.

We started off December by performing Beauty and the Beast. The play included a huge cast and many working behind the scenes to present the production to three sold out crowds. The production was a delight for both old and young!

Erin Boldt was delightful as Lumiere as well as Lori Pauls as Mrs. Potts

Jordan Wiens as Gaston, Laura Civica as La Fou and Katie McLellan as the director of the insane asylum.

Hugo Malan had the lead role of the Beast and Katie Baschak was the lovely Belle.

The students supported 10,000 Villages by hosting a sales here in the rehearsal hall. Over $1,000 dollars was raised by our student body.

In the meantime, many efforts have been going into our own fundraising initiative called Pennies for Poverty. Team 'girls' are determined to out do team 'boys' in our friendly competition to see who raises the most money. Each group has been coming up with creative ways to raise money. Some of the ideas include hosting a Mario Kart tournament for poverty, a dutch blitz tournament for poverty, shinny for poverty, bottle drives, bake sales, tie dye for poverty and even hair removal for poverty and many more. The proceeds with go to two projects. Some of the funds raised will go to support the local Food Pantry Project. The rest of the money will be going to assist a MCC project that the RJC students with be involved with in February in Guatemala which includes building an eco-friendly cabin in San Marcos to promote eco-tourism for the local people. We have raised over 1,300 dollars so far. The Pennies for Poverty project ends January 25th. Any contributions for either team would be welcomed!

Dutch Blitz for Poverty

Hannah Jones and Laura Civica raising money by creating and auctioning off tye-dyed t-shirts for the cause

The boys edged out the girls by pulling out in front with a slight lead. Here the boys display the amount that they have raised to date.

The staff sadly is in 3rd place

Celebrating the birth of Christ was the theme for many of the December Chapels. The Faith and Life committee presented the 'Canadian Nativity Scene'. It included Mary and Joseph (Marie and Jacque) being carried in on a donkey (polar bear), the stable being visited by shepherds (hockey players) and the three wisepersons ( Pierre Trudeau, Margaret Atwood and Lloyd Schmidt).

We also celebrated "Graduation" in December with Jim Cheng. We wish Jim well as he leaves us to join second semester at the University of Saskatchewan.

The SRC organized 'Winter Fun Day' for the student body. We took half a day to celebrate the cold weather and to relieve stress by running and playing in the great outdoors!

Carly Dyck keeps a watchful eye on Luke Derksen during the snow soccer game

Staffer, Lloyd Schmidt gets in on the action, keeping the ball from Joey Fan.

Vichael Ho gets a kick out of playing in the snow.

Hockey players enjoyed a shinny game in the rink

Angels appeared on the RJC campus!

Hannah Jones protests a staff member's unorthodox style of playing defence in an ultimate frisbee game.

Taylor Roy has to jump high to catch this pass.

You can't have a winter fun day without a monkey pile on unsuspecting staff member Ryan Wood.

Oh....look we did go to classes too during all of this! Stephanie Isaak and Teresa Friesen hard at work.

During the final week of school, the students continued to celebrate the Christmas season with a formal banquet.

Which was followed by a coffeehouse and an evening of activity.

Deans, Graeme Rinholm and Nic Fast entertain the students during the Christmas coffeehouse.

A duet by John Baker and Sarah Nickel.

A little 'hip hop' dancing!

We spent the last afternoon before the break cleaning up and getting ready for the Christmas Concert. Everyone was so excited. Christmas vacation coming soon!

Erika Hooge and Allison Goerzen take a break from latrine duty for a little 'air guitar'

Vichael Ho and Yuri Yuel scrub the floor in the boys dorm clean. Kyle Parton is on wall duty. Can you hear the loud music blaring in the background?

The RJC Chorale presented a noon program at the Station Arts Centre in town on the last day of school. It was a good warm up for the evening Christmas concert.

Erik Epp and Heidi Epp, co-presidents, welcome everyone to the Christmas concert.

Richard Janzen leads Concert Choir in the opening number.

Luke Driedger-Enns and Jamieson Fitzgerald perform a duet during the offertory with Lynn Driegder-Enns on violin and Audrey Janzen on piano.

There. Now we can get on with January! Hockey and both basketball teams jumped back into their seasons. As well be are busy preparing for Open House and for the end of semester. Exam week is looming in the near future! Watch for future blog posts!